Local derby for Iron youngsters

7:20am Friday 8th August 2008

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Braintree Town’s youth team will open their Ridgeons Youth League season with six home fixtures – including a local derby in the FA Youth Cup.

They will play against either Romford or the youth side of fellow Conference South club St Albans City in the first qualifying round of the competition.

Huntingdonshire-based Godmanchester Rovers will also visit Cressing Road for a league cup first round tie in October.

The Iron youngsters are about to enter their fifth season playing in the South Division of the league under the club’s reserve and youth manager, Tom Marshall, who is looking forward to the start of the campaign.

He said: “I’ve been pleased with our pre-season so far – our new intake of youth players have been working hard in training and we’re looking forward to starting our season against Brantham.

“Our youth team squad is coming together well and there’s a possibility we may add to it further still in the next couple of weeks before we begin.”

The manager said he was pleased with three of his former charges who went on to represent the first team during last season.

“It has been great to see Luke Overall, Chris Smith and Ross McLaren all involved in Conference South and FA Trophy games last season, and for them to have remained involved with the first team manager Lee Patterson since we started training again in June,” he said.

“Hopefully it will inspire some of the young players in the area to follow in their footsteps and go on to represent the Iron in the coming seasons.”

The team will start their season against Brantham Athletic at Cressing Road on Wednesday, August 27 – kick-off 7.45pm.

Any players who will be aged 15, 16 and 17 during the coming season and who would be interested in finding out more about playing for Braintree Town should contact youth development co-ordinator Phil Poulter on btfcyouth@aim.com